A. To study the effects of pancreas transplantation (PT) on the structural abnormalities of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (type 1 D). These studies will address the influence of long-term normoglycemia on two stages of diabetic renal disease.

Due to the difficulties encountered for recruitment of patients to agree to undergo a GFR and a native kidney biopsy in conjunction with their clinical evaluation visit for transplant, we are now focusing efforts on obtaining skin biopsies previous to transplant, and then at regular intervals (3, 6, and 9 months, and yearly) following a successful transplantation.

Pancreas Transplantation Alone (PTA). To determine, at 5, 10, and 15 years after PTA, the effects of normoglycemia on the established lesions of DN in the long-term type 1 D patients' own kidneys.

Islet Transplantation Alone (ITA). To determine, at 5 years after ITA, the effects of normoglycemia on the early lesions of DN in type 1 D patients' own kidneys.

Pancreas Transplantation after Kidney Transplantation (PAK). To determine at 5-10 years the effects of normoglycemia on the early structural lesions of DN in kidneys transplanted some years earlier into type 1 D recipients.

Hypothesis: The benefits of PT on the early glomerular lesions of DN will be demonstrable after 5 years in kidneys exposed to diabetes for a short duration, while in patients with long-standing type 1 D and more advanced glomerular DN lesions, longer exposure to euglycemia is necessary to demonstrate arrest or regression of the lesions.

structural-functional relationships in diabetic nephropathy through detailed quantitative studies of podocytes, including cell number, shape and attachment using innovative approaches including quantitative immunoelectron microscopy and 3-dimensional high resolution electron microscopy. We will also study relationship between podocyte and glomerulotubular junction abnormalities.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

We will continue our study the natural history of diabetic nephropathy. [ Time Frame: Baseline through follow up visits ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

We will study the structural parameters associated with urinary albumin excretion and determine which structural parameters are predictors of developing diabetic nephropathy.

Other Outcome Measures:

We have compared the development of calcineurin lesions in the native kidneys of 14 tacrolimus- and 12 calcineurin-treated pancreas transplant alone recipients cured of type 1 diabetes. [ Time Frame: Baseline through follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To avoid the pitfalls of renal allograft studies, including rejection and disease recurrence, we compared the development of calcineurin lesions in the native kidneys of 14 tacrolimus- and 12 calcineurin-treated pancreas transplant alone recipients cured of type 1 diabetes.

These continuation studies focus on large pancreas (PTx) and kidney (KTx) transplant populations of type 1 diabetic (D) patients (pts) in order to better understand diabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of renal failure. Objectives are: (a) to determine whether PTx can more readily arrest or reverse the early vs. the more established lesions of DN; (b) to continue studies of renal structural-functional relationships in DN, with emphasis on the multifaceted pathologic DN lesions, including glomerular, vascular, interstitial lesions and glomerular-tubular connections; (c) to continue studies of DN natural history and the role of renal biopsy in predicting outcome; (d) to quantitate and understand the basis of atubular glomeruli (AG) in DN; (e) to elucidate glomerular (glom) epithelial cell abnormalities in DN; (f) to study the glom extracellular matrix abnormalities of DN; (g) to study the recurrence of DN in the KTx; (h) to study the molecular/genetic basis of DN and develop cellular markers of DN risk; (i) to determine the long-term (10-15 yr) structural consequences of cyclosporine (CSA) on the native kidneys of PTx recipients; and (j) to determine the shorter-term (5 yr) consequences of Prograf on the native kidneys of PTx recipients and compare these with those seen after 5 years of CSA treatment. Together, these studies will help to elucidate the pathogenesis and natural history of DN, unravel some of the molecular and genetic aspects of this disease, describe the dynamics of DN reversal in PTx pts, and recurrence in KTx pts and expand our knowledge of the nephrotoxic effects of calcinosis inhibitors.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 60 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Probability Sample

Study Population

This is not a study that recruits from the general population. This study is selectively offered to eligible patients who are scheduled for a Pre-pancreas Transplant evaluation visit at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview Transplant Center. If interested in learning more, contact the Transplant Center for more information.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Pancreas Transplantation. The patients considered for recruitment are those being evaluated for pancreas transplant alone or pancreas transplant after kidney transplantation in IDDM patients at the University of Minnesota (U of M). The consent forms have been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Minnesota and the transplant coordinators responsible for interacting with patients have continuously utilized these consent forms in the recruitment process.

Long-Term Post Kidney Transplant IDDM Patients. These patients are recruited by a study coordinator working directly with the PI and also use consent forms approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Minnesota.

Exclusion Criteria:

Pancreas Transplantation Alone

Serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl or CCr <50 ml/min/1.73M2, as kidneys in such IDDM patients are approaching end stage renal disease and are not readily amenable to morphometric analysis.

Solitary kidneys or evidence of unilateral renal disease, based upon significant discrepancies in renal size by ultrasound.

Evidence of other important kidney disease by history, ultrasound, or baseline biopsy.

Other chronic diseases or conditions, in addition to IDDM, such as cystic fibrosis, serious mental illness, severe mental retardation, etc.

Pregnancy. Pregnancy tests will be performed on all eligible females of child-bearing age, and pregnant women will be excluded. Patients will again be eligible 3 months after completion of pregnancy.

Pancreas Transplantation After Kidney Transplantation

Serum creatinine >2 mg/dl; a higher value is accepted than for native kidney patients since patients have a single kidney and are receiving CSA or FK506.

Moderate to severe chronic rejection on baseline biopsy.

Evidence of other important kidney disease by history, ultrasound, or baseline biopsy.

Other chronic diseases or conditions, in addition to IDDM, such as cystic fibrosis, serious mental illness, severe mental retardation, etc.

Pregnancy. Pregnancy tests will be performed on all eligible females of child-bearing age, and pregnant women will be excluded. Patients will again be eligible 3 months after completion of pregnancy.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00156364